December 14, 2011

Arrivals to Iquitos, Peru. First week's lodging are at our animal shelter facility in Cabo Lopez, 30 minutes from Iquitos, Peru. Lodging is comfortable, there is plumbing, and we have a terrific cook! for more information see this article.

December 9, 2011

I was a Peruvian volunteer during the Amazon CARES spay/neuter campaign in August 2011. Despite being Peruvian, my trip to Iquitos was an eye-opener to the reality of conditions that most animals endure.

I was able to visit some communities that have much difficulty in obtaining veterinary care and where help from the government is a rarity.

December 7, 2011

Soccer fans in Chile lose control over ticket sales and take out their frustration on dogs.

Sights like these were common in Iquitos, Peru when Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety (Amazon CARES) began in 2004. We are proud to have helped pass legislation against animal abuse. Through education we have helped create a more sensitive environment towards animals.

November 30, 2011

Show your support for animals and Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety with our beautifully photographed 2012 calendar. You will be proud to display this hanging wall calendar throughout the year.

$15 each and free shipping! Buy one for you and one for a friend! Thanks to a 150% matching donor, your $15 purchase actually means $37.50 donated to Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety.

November 28, 2011

One of the most important programs carried out by Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety is also one of our least heralded programs. We work with the Peruvian Ministry of Health to distribute Albendazole, a broad spectrum anti-parasitic medication, to the human population in the remote areas we serve.

During our years of providing veterinary care to remote and poor areas, we discovered that domestic animals were riddled with parasites. Albendazole is effective against roundworms, tapeworms among many other variety of worm infestations.

Since we started this program we have treated over 25,000 humans for parasites. This is especially important in areas where children are infested with worms that rob them of gaining nutrients from their food.

Studies demonstrate that where animal health improves, so does public health. Amazon CARES takes this a step further by distributing anti-parasitic medicines during our veterinary trips, thus preventing further cross infection of parasites between humans and domestic animals.

November 11, 2011

Amazon CARES first volunteer veterinary trip begins on Saturday, February 18th and end on Sunday, March 4, 2012. Iquitos is the most remote city in the world, and is only accessible by air or water. No roads lead to Iquitos! If you are interested in attending one of our trips, keep this in mind when making travel arrangements, as flight schedules often require an overnight in Lima, Peru. We need participants to be in Iquitos ready to start work on the first morning of the trip date.

November 3, 2011

October has been a busy month for Amazon CARES in Peru! See our stats below!

Vet Ventures sponsored an international group of volunteers from England, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA. They began arriving in time for our World Animal Day Parade. Following that, they traveled to Caballo Cocha in the Ramon Castilla district of the Amazon region, which borders Colombia and Brazil. States Bruno Antoine, Director of Amazon CARES in Peru, "without getting into political issues, Caballo Cocha is the concrete illustration of a municipality that cares about their animals and for the preservation of the environment. They have given us full cooperation, there is a real interest from the authorities: good logistics and coordination with the health center, media coverage, organization of lectures and a parade, and as a result the massive participation of the population ... to the benefit of all. "

October 27, 2011

David and Dottie Bonnett have been loyal benefactors of Amazon CARES since our early days. Some of our very first rescues occurred because of the Bonnett´s generosity and patronage. Attentive readers may recognize their name from a recent blog about a disabled pet and his sight-impaired owner.

I recently wrote a Memorial to a Street Dog for a dog we could not save. On a happier note, I want to write about the miracle of life and how happy we are to have rescued a Mama pup and her two puppies that were only two days old. David and Dottie Bonnett rescued these three animals through their generous sponsorships of various animal rescues.

October 12, 2011

I apologize for not giving you a name. You deserved a name. But my heart was breaking when the Veterinarian told me of your condition, and giving you a name would have made it worse. I mourn you, even if others do not.

At one time you probably had a family. Why did they abandon you? Were you with your family when you got sick? I wish they had taken you to a Veterinarian then. I might not be saying goodbye to you today, had that been the case.

I´ve seen impossible cases...dogs that looked even worse than you, and they have healed and rebounded into beautiful dogs that find forever homes. This was not your fate. In addition to multiple tumors, including those in your lymph nodes, your heart was weak. I knew the outcome, and asked if you could have a meal first. I wanted you to feel some love in your last moments of life.

October 10, 2011

The children of EFATA, the school for the deaf, visited the dogs at the CARES no-kill shelter in CaboLopez. It was a day of many happy moments with students and helpful volunteers as well as the participation of local Boy Scouts.

The CARES shelterplays an important role, as it rehabilitates former street animals and readies them to be adopted. There are currently 30 young volunteers involved in their work.

October 6, 2011

The following article originally appeared in La Region, daily newspaper of Iquitos, Peru.

Bruno Antoine, Director of Amazon CARES Peru

With the participation of voluntary youth groups, organizations, schools and other institutions, the NGO Cares, has been promoting the walk, "I am part of your world, don´t be indifferent" to be held this Saturday 01 October in a prelude to World Animal Day and the Day of Saint Francis of Assisi, defender of animals.

October 1, 2011

In the 60s and 70s, stunning French actress Brigitte Bardot, with signature pouty lips, wild, flaxen hair and Gallic zest for life, gained fans worldwide by her acting and her great beauty; however it is her passion for the welfare of animals which has won our hearts. Her activism on behalf of animals began in 1962: Ms. Bardot championed the cause of humane slaughter of animals for meat and outlaw of the baby seal fur trade, both of which resulted in regulation which helped to end barbaric mistreatment of animals.

September 21, 2011

This beautiful image is featured in the 2012 Amazon CARES wall calendar. This dog was photographed by Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA, who volunteered during our April Vets Abroad trip.

Show your support for animals and Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety with our beautifully photographed 2012 calendar. You will be proud to display this hanging wall calendar throughout the year.

$15 each and free shipping! Buy one for you and one for a friend! Thanks to a 150% matching donor, your $15 purchase actually means $37.50 donated to Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety.

September 20, 2011

There was a moment in Peru when I found that there was no better place for me to travel to than Iquitos. I fell in love with the Amazon Jungle. Iquitos is many things to me. It´s hot, sunny, rainy, green, lush, flavoursome, friendly, hospitably and extremely welcoming.A visit to one of the many jungle lodges is a must. It´s a trip into a remote world. When I first arrived, I had a two hours boat trip on the Amazon river and then three very special days in a jungle lodge. Several days excursions took meinto the territory of thousands of animals and plants, noises and aromas. Here I feel a true visitor.Among all the impressions, I most love how the jungle smells! It´s the most wonderful aroma on earth!

Back in Iquitos I found the city full of excitement. Miles of Mototaxis, rocking chairs in front of the houses, an amazing malecon, splendid facades of the rubber times, clubs full of cumbia music and happy people allover.

Jessica, at the time of her rescue.

But in Iquitos I also found a street dog. She was one of many. It made me suffer until I found the most wonderful animal community – AMAZON CARES – Amazon Community Rescue, Education and Safety. They seek better health and living conditions for ALL living beings of the Peruvian Amazon region. This includes appropriate care, respect, and protection from cruelty and neglect.

Jessica with her new family!

They invited me to bring them the dog I found, cured it in their clinic and brought it to their no-kill-shelter, named it Jessica and found her a family. A long time after being back to Lima, Amazon Cares mailed me pictures. Jessica had turned into a completely healthy dog.

My goal: I wanted to go back, help Amazon Cares, help so many other animals. It took me a year, and I was back to Iquitos! This time to stay 4 weeks at the no kill shelter! Thanks to Molly, the wonderful founder, and Bruno, the wonderful director and thanks to all the other clinic and shelter staff, I had a very fulfilling time of my life! My dream came true as I was a volunteer for animals!

Madhu and Kimberly

Every day I got up early and first thing Kimberly and Madhu, two wonderful little puppies, welcomed me stepping out of my door. Then, we prepared the food with my colleagues...one bowl for each dog + vitamins compliments of i Love Dogs, Inc.! Read more here. First the puppies , then the small dogs , then the big dogs ate. We watched them eating, happily. Then all dogs would get fresh water, clean shelters, their treatment, and above all much attention, play and walk! The dogs loved it and ended happily relaxing after a fulfilling day.

Facundo

I got very attached to my dogs, especially to Facundo, my very special baby. Facundo's life was cut short, and you can read my memorial.

The farewell was like leaving behind a big family. I also visited Jessica in her family before I left. She is a happy dog now. Back in Lima I got the wonderful news that 16 dogs got adopted in 20 days! Amazon Cares is amazing. They have accomplished miracles since 2004.Read more and convince yourself of the great job those guys do in the Amazon Jungle of Iquitos.

Nicola walking Bruno, Canela and Barbara

Between now and March 2012, a donor has challenged CARES to raise $12,000. If we reach this goal, the Donor will donate $18,000 to CARES! Please find it in your heart to support our animals today.

September 16, 2011

Rusty is a beautiful boxer whose family abandoned him. We do not know what led to several characteristics that made him "less adoptable," but he suffered from a lame leg, and his tongue always stuck out of his mouth. Other dogs at our no-kill shelter had a hard time "reading," his facial expression. He was often bullied by the other dogs.

Benefactors David and Dottie Bonnett sponsored Rusty, and we expected him to become one of our "lifelong" residents at our spacious jungle property. Despite his troubles, Rusty remained extremely affectionate.

One exciting day a family came to adopt a dog for their teenage son. This sight impaired young man did not see any of Rusty's "imperfections." The two bonded immediately, and Rusty was adopted! We follow up with our adoptive families to see how the pets are being treated and if they are well integrated into their new home. In this case, Rusty lived near the Amazon CARES Veterinary Clinic located in the city of Iquitos. One of our Veterinarians passed by Rusty's home everyday while walking to work!

I will never forget the day this male Veterinarian came to the office with tears in his eyes. He had just come from visiting Rusty. Emotionally, he described his experience. The teenager was alone in the family room with Rusty. No training exists in Iquitos for Guide Dogs or Assistance Dogs (see "Assistance Dogs in the Amazon"). Yet Rusty was a natural. The veterinarian explained that this dog and teenager communicated on human terms. When the boy spoke, Rusty understood. They behaved like brothers.

Dog abandonment is rampant in Iquitos, and the Amazon CARES Animal Refuge has a wonderful lifetime resident program. We are forever appreciative to David and Dottie Bonnett for sponsoring Rusty as well as many other wonderful animals. Between now and March 2012, a donor has challenged CARES to raise $12,000. If we reach this goal, the Donor will donate $18,000 to CARES! Please find it in your heart to support one of our less adoptable pets today.

September 12, 2011

During BlogPaws 2011, Disney presented the first and only press screening of a Halloween family film.SPOOKY BUDDIES, the latest Disney release in the popular ―Buddies franchise of direct-to-video movies, features that adorable gang of talking golden retriever puppies. Produced and written by a dynamic filmmaking duo, Robert Vince and Anna McRoberts, SPOOKY BUDDIES was created with one of their favorite holidays in mind. Realizing that Halloween is equally popular with both kids and adults, they knew they had to write a compelling script that incorporated fun, humor, friendship and some family-friendly frights!

Dressed in their costumes, the Buddies hit the streets along with a witch‘s brew of Halloween characters. Sheet ghosts, goblins, ghouls, skeletons, devils, even a fairy princess, are all followed by their parents, who will soon congregate at Sheriff Dan‘s annual Halloween Brew Ha-Ha.

September 9, 2011

This post is my entry into the BlogPaws Blog Carnival Contest sponsored by BISSELL Homecare, Inc.

The beautiful blonde had backed herself into a dark corner. At least four males surrounded her. I watched her helplessly, knowing this was a fight neither of us could win. She snapped and growled at the male dogs to no avail. She was in heat. I could not help her.

That was 2004, the year I founded the charity Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education and Safety, better known as Amazon CARES. Four weeks later I rescued that blonde dog. Of our early rescue dogs, she was the healthiest. She did not suffer from extreme mange, yet she was clearly malnourished, and something inside of me told me to take her with me to our newly rented animal shelter.

Marilyn at the CARES jungle animal shelter in 2005.

Little did I know I saved three lives when I rescued Marilyn. As soon as Marilyn began receiving healthy, regular meals, she plumped up and we realized that she was pregnant. She gave birth to two beautiful puppies: A pure black male and pure white female, and my workers exclaimed and wondered HOW WAS THAT possible!?

September 8, 2011

September is National Guide Dog Month, a time set aside to raise both funds and awareness about the critical role guide dogs play in the lives of disabled persons.

The training and adoption of guide and therapy dogs in Iquitos has always been one of Amazon CARES' most cherished goals, but in our efforts we have met with a great deal of resistance.Before Amazon CARES came to Iquitos, the prevailing attitude about dogs was that they were unclean, something closer to vermin; the bands of roaming, flea-infested street dogs do little to discourage the notion. Hospitals refuse to even entertain the possibility of using therapy dogs, fearing the introduction of disease. In addition, in the Amazon, persons with disabilities are largely left to their own devices - the social services we take for granted in the United States are simply not present. It is felt that nothing will improve the disable person's life or ability to care for him or herself, so why bother - the motto seems to be the same as late-night rotisserie infomercials: "set it and forget it."

Rejected by hospitals, we approached and began working with individual families. One of our first candidates for therapy dog placement was a largely unresponsive developmentally delayed boy who was confined to a wheelchair. Our informally trained therapy dog was very gentle with the child, and after only a few visits the boy would smile and laugh when the dog visited, interacting with the dog and even throwing a ball for him to fetch!

September 6, 2011

Report from Bruno Antoine, Director of Amazon CARES in Peru: (translated from Spanish)

The NGO Amazon CARES is mostly known for its campaigns of sterilization and veterinary services in poor areas of our region. In August, CARES has undertaken a new campaign of environmental health from Nauta, Bellavista-Nanay and the Yarapa River basin.

However, even during our campaigns, our full service Veterinary Clinic on Pevas Street is open and committed throughout the year to those most in need.

In August, for example, the social agenda of the NGO, funded by contributions from veterinary clinic customers, served 34 animals in the clinic (in addition to the campaign) for a sum of Nuevo Soles S/ 1,280. (USD $470)

Apart from medical procedures, CARES has given has 8 talks (in the market for Bellavista Nanay, Puerto Miguel, Nauta, Iquitos and Isla College César Vallejo), there have been 6 interviews (Channel 2, Amazon channel, The Ribenero Nauta and Channel 19), 5 press articles, and 6 dog adoptions (Ball, Vania, Lilian, Canela, Gustavo and Ana) and 4 kitten adoptions. Sadly, we performed one euthanasia on a very ill street dog.

As an institution, we are in the process of coordinating a health partnership with the community of Bellavista Nanay.

During our small veterinary campaign during August, we sterilized 68 animals, treated 352 animals including de-worming, flea and tick control, and treatment for mange, and distributed 1,171 Albendazole 400 mg anti-parasite tablets to humans. We also lectured to over 150 students, and adults about responsible pet ownership.

Thank you for reading this post. Our Peru Director, Bruno Antoine will have regular posts on our English blog from now on. Subscribe to our blog by typing your name in the "Receive Posts by Email" box to the upper right. Also, please Like our Facebook Page and Follow us on Twitter!

August 23, 2011

According to the official website, "World Humanitarian Day is a celebration of people helping people. Every day humanitarian aid workers help millions of people around the world no matter who they are or where they are. The day recognizes the sacrifices and contributions of those who risk their lives to give others help and hope."

Last year we blogged about Humanitarians to #FollowFriday. This year I want to focus on animal advocates and why we are humanitarians. To most readers of THIS blog this seems obvious. But I am sure you have met naysayers, people that complain of your efforts towards animals when humans are in need. In the case of Amazon CARES we get a double whammy, as we aren't even helping animals in the USA, where we are headquartered.

Helping animals helps people. Everyday new studies demonstrate the vital link between animal health and human health. As the animal health of a population increases, so does the health of the human population. In addition to improving the lives of stray animals in Iquitos and the surrounding Amazon villages, Amazon CARES is reducing animal overpopulation through aggressive capture-neuter-release programs. With a reduced number of sick animals roaming the streets, spreading disease and fighting for food, public health has improved. We have Spanish language materials to teach dog-bite prevention and safety around animals. And we have distributed human anti-parasite medications to over 20,000 humans since our start in 2004.

August 5, 2011

Thank you to June volunteer Donna Bodkin for writing this post, which originally appeared on her blog.

﻿So far our first day has included: A jungle hike to the zipline. Ziplining and hiking quickly back to catch our boat to work. Learning how to set up a mobile hospital and spaying/neutering 19 animals. Shopping in a village shop for souvenirs. Repacking all of our equipment and loading back into the boat to go back to the lodge to relax. Well, that's what we thought! After a beautiful boat ride along the river, we arrive at the lodge.
﻿

August 4, 2011

This is the story about Facundo, one of four newborn puppies who lived on the streets of Iquitos with his mother. He didn't have a home or a name, and no one cared about him – until he was rescued by Amazon CARES, and brought to live with his mother and brothers and sisters to CARES’ no-kill shelter in Cabo Lopez. When I arrived in Cabo Lopez, the puppy was still a new arrival and had not yet been named.

I named him Facundo after the beloved Argentinean songwriter, Facundo Cabral, who sang about love and peace on earth. It didn't take long to discover that Facundo was the runt of the litter, growing slower than his brothers and sisters. He always was hungry, and very weak, but his siblings would push him away from his mother when he was trying to nurse. We finally separated him from the rest of the litter to nurse; only then were able to see him eat and begin to grow.

One day as he was nursing, his mother stood up so quickly that Facundo fell down to the wood floor, his tongue still sticking out. His body was rigid; I quickly picked him up and he was unresponsive, his eyes rolling back into his head. I was frantic: Facundo, you cannot die here! He was so small, only the size of my hand, and had his whole life ahead of him. I tried to put his tongue back into his mouth but it wouldn’t work. I put him by his mother, thinking she would be able to revive him, but he remained unmoving, lifeless.

I shouted for Gustavo, my colleague in Cabo Lopez, to come, and gave him my little Facundo. I was praying, Please Gustavo rescue him, quick, quick, he will die! I then called Luis, the clinic veterinarian, who told me to bring the small puppy to the clinic. My heart sank - we both knew that if Gustavo was unable to revive him now, Facundo would be dead long before we got there.

Gustavo put water in the puppy's mouth and breathed, then more air and more water. Facundo began to show signs of life – I knew it! He wanted to live! I was overjoyed to see this sweet little dog’s eyes aware and alert. I hugged Gustavo, so thankful that he was able to revive our baby!

Facundo and I spent the whole weekend in town together. The vet examined Facundo and discovered he had a hole in his skull which could cause problems walking, seeing and hearing. Yet little Facundo showed no symptoms: he came when I called him, walking straight towards me with no hesitation. He was so adorable he would make my heart stop.

Facundo was stronger now, and able to play with his brothers and sisters, barking and defending himself when they are a bit too clumsy or rough. He slept snuggled with a plush toy turtle.

I became very attached to Facundo, and there was nothing I loved better than watching him play and grow. Even though I knew that he would soon have a lovely family of his own, I was sad to think of leaving him when my stay in Iquitos was at an end. When I left, I left a piece of my heart here with him, my own sweet special puppy Facundo.

Epilogue: After Nicola wrote this blog, her beloved Facundo passed away. The genetic defect was too great to overcome, and he leaves behind all of the clinic and volunteer workers who loved him, and admired his indomitable spirit. Vaya con Dios, Facundo; you will be missed.

August 2, 2011

Sunday morning we arrived in Iquitos and headed to the Amazon CARES clinic.

Local street dog waiting for someone to let her in the clinic.

While we were waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, we were given a walking tour of the Boulevard and the Belen Market by a man who owned a jungle tour company just a few doors down from the clinic.